A daily wrap of Thailand news, with a Phuket perspective and reports from national and international media.


Bangkok Post The Department of Special Investigation is asking local land authorities to investigate 16 plots in Phuket it suspects may be controlled by foreign interests. The plots are owned by five property developers. Most of the land covering thousands of rai is in Rawai, in southern Phuket, Phuket Land Office chief Paithoon Lerdkrai says. The five companies are among 61 being investigated nationwide.

afp The Islamist mastermind allegedly behind deadly July suicide bombings in Jakarta is probably hiding out on Indonesia's main island of Java, a top anti-terrorism official says. Malaysian Noordin Mohammed Top, one of Asia's most-wanted militants, is believed to have chosen to stay on the densely populated island despite a nationwide manhunt, security ministry anti-terror chief Ansyaad Mbai told AFP.

bbc.co.uk Lawyers for Burma's pro-democracy opposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, have launched an appeal against the extension of her house arrest. Last month a court sentenced Suu Kyi to another 18 months for violating the terms of her detention by allowing an uninvited US man into her home. Nyan Win said the divisional court in Rangoon would decide on Friday whether to hear the appeal.

worldcoalition.org The Thai government has attracted widespread condemnation from the global abolitionist movement after it had two drug traffickers executed. Bundit Jaroenwanit, 45, and Jirawat Poompreuk, 52. were executed in Bangkok's Bang Kwang prison on August 24. They had been convicted of drug trafficking in March 2001. Those executions were the first in Thailand since 2003.

Bernama Indonesia's national airline, Garuda Indonesia, plans to increase the current daily flight from Kuala Lumpur to Jakarta to twice daily in November. In a statement, Garuda said this was part of a plan to expand its services across South-East Asia by increasing its frequency and capacity to Jakarta and Bali from key regional markets. In Thailand, the airline would increase its flights from thrice-weekly to a daily service from October 25, operating non-stop from Bangkok to Jakarta on Boeing 737NG aircraft.

news.sky.com As Japan's annual dolphin cull begins, a documentary featuring the trainer involved in the '60s TV hit Flipper has exposed the brutality behind the industry. The Cove tells the story of a group of campaigners who targeted the Western Japanese coastal town of Taiji, where thousands of dolphins are slaughtered each year. Former trainer Ric O'Barry has devoted decades to freeing captive dolphins. He said he feels guilty for starting the global fascination with dolphin parks.


Illegal Burmese Arrested, Phuket Deadline Passes
Latest Arrests on Phuket are accompanied by a crackdown on Burmese schools in Ranong as a registration system for illegal workers appears to have failed to deliver.
Illegal Burmese Arrested, Phuket Deadline Passes

Phuket Investment Drops But Bounce Predicted
Phuket Economy Investment on Phuket dipped by almost one third in the first half of the year but the second half looks more promising, latest figures reveal.
Phuket Investment Drops But Bounce Predicted

Great Holiday Job for Couples in Thailand
Latest Back in May Phuketwan suggested the Australian 'best job in the world' campaign would be great for Phuket and now Thailand's tourism chiefs have taken up the idea.
Great Holiday Job for Couples in Thailand

Here's Who Owns Patong's Beachfront
Latest The drums of paranoia are being beaten by a media that fails to do proper research. Here's a list of who owns the resorts along Patong's beach road, according to the local authority.
Here's Who Owns Patong's Beachfront

Phuket Wins Two Billion Baht for 'Super Centre'
Latest Good things come to those who wait and after two decades, Phuket seems assured now of a conference and sports centre that will drive the island's development.
Phuket Wins Two Billion Baht for 'Super Centre'

China Visitor Bucks Jetski Bid for 50,000 Baht
UPDATE Phuket's governor tells tourist horror stories of jetski operators in Patong and makes it plain that the era of the scams and ripoffs is coming to a close.
China Visitor Bucks Jetski Bid for 50,000 Baht


MediaWATCH: Quake Shakes Java, 34 Die
News Digest An earthquake rocks Indonesia; Skyeurope suspended; Phuket's air boost; Salute to Sri panwa; Villagers flee smell in China; Angry students march.
MediaWATCH: Quake Shakes Java, 34 Die